SURVIVAL OF LACTOBACILLUS-PLANTARUM DSM-9843 (299V), AND EFFECT ON THE SHORT-CHAIN FATTY-ACID CONTENT OF FECES AFTER INGESTION OF A ROSE-HIP DRINK WITH FERMENTED OATS

In a controlled and randomised double-blind study, 26 healthy adult vo lunteers consumed, for 21 d, 400 ml of a rose-hip drink containing oat s (0.7g/100 ml) fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 9843 (RHL; containing 5 x 10(7) cfu ml(-1)), and 22 volunteers in a second group the same amount of a pure rose-hip drink (RH). Significant increases i n the total faecal concentration of carboxylic acids (P<0.05 after 1 w eek and P<0.01 after 3 weeks of intake), acetic acid (P<0.01 after 3 w eeks of intake) and propionic acid (P<0.01 after 3 weeks of intake and P<0.05 eight days after intake ceased) were recorded in the RHL group , indicating increased fermentation in the colon. In both groups a sig nificant increase was obtained in the concentration of faecal lactic a cid (P<0.001 after 1 and 3 weeks of intake). No changes were seen in t he concentration of faecal butyrate. The numbers of faecal bifidobacte ria and lactobacilli increased significantly in both groups after 3 we eks of intake. Sulphite-reducing clostridia rapidly decreased in the g roup receiving the product with Lb. plantarum DSM 9843 after 1 week of intake, and then also in the pure rose-hip group after 3 weeks of int ake. No changes were seen in the numbers of total anaerobes, Gram-nega tive anaerobes or total aerobes during administration. Lb. plantarum D SM 9843 was recovered in faeces from all volunteers in the RHL group. Median amounts were 7.0 (5.0-8.8) log(10) cfu g(-1) after one week of intake, and 6.7 (5.0-8.9) log(10) cfu g(-1) after 3 weeks, respectivel y. The strain was still recovered from faeces of five volunteers 8 d a fter administration ceased (>4.8 log(10) cfu g(-1)). During the period of intake the volunteers in the RHL group experienced a significant i ncrease in stool volume, a significant decrease in flatulence and slig htly softer stools. Volunteers in the RH group experienced a slight bu t significant decrease in stool volume. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.